Daniher kept away from group, Mitch McGovern makes gradual return

Essendon kept key forward Joe Daniher off the track for a second successive day as he recovers from a new year's bout of conjunctivitis.

He was the only key Bomber missing from the track with his recovery from the groin injury that has kept him out since round seven last year progressing slowly.

Dylan Shiel.Credit:The Age

Speedy forward Orazio Fantasia is back in full training having overcome a finger injury suffered pre-Christmas while midfielder David Zaharakis remains on light duties joining the recuperating Martin Gleeson (ankle) and Josh Begley (knee) in the rehab group.

The Bombers also surrounded a surprise visitor to training with club stalwart Dr Bruce Reid, who is on leave after being diagnosed with cancer, giving the team a boost with his presence.

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Essendon, which finished just outside the eight in 2018 after a shocking start to the year, is expected to make a dramatic improvement this season with the arrival of former Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel in the trade period boosting their stocks.

Meanwhile arch rivals Carlton expect injured high-flyer Mitch McGovern to rejoin the group before the end of the month as he continues his recovery from a non-displaced fracture in his back suffered in the final training sessions before Christmas.

The 22-year-old has been cross-training over the break and trained indoors on Friday as the Blues returned to the track. Jarrod Pickett will remain in a brace for the next month after undergoing surgery to repair his patella tendon.

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Pickett will resume non-weight-bearing exercise in February before making a gradual return while Will Setterfield remains on a modified program as he recovers from a knee reconstruction.

The Blues had a shocking run with injury before Christmas losing co-captain Sam Docherty for the second year in a row to an ACL injury. Young defender Caleb Marchbank is also yet to resume full training as he works to overcome a back problem but the Blues are confident he will rejoin full training soon.

Blues on-baller Matt Kennedy said he had made a strong recovery from post-season surgery to fix his ankle.

"I had the one ankle surgery during the off-season, which was a really good success. It all went well and I’m back into full training now," he said.

"The body is feeling great now. I’ve done all of the pre-season training so far. I’m excited to make up for last year and have a really good crack this year and stay injury-free."

All clubs will be back on track on Monday as Collingwood heads to the Gold Coast for a training camp. The Magpies returned to training on Wednesday but will be the first team in the new year to head off on a pre-season camp.

The Brisbane Lions will train in Hobart for a week from next Friday while Melbourne is expected to train on the Sunshine Coast during the pre-season.